Nursing School Full-Time & Working Full-Time...Is it possible?

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

I did full time LPN schooling, full time work, with 2 kids and a husband. I passed with high honors.

I'm currently doing LPN to RN bridge..again full time school, full time work same 2 kids and the hubby. Doing well in my classes.

Its possible..but its hard even with a support system.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 21, 2011

I worked 50 - 60 hours per week plus some business travel while in the evening/weekend program at CC. My kids are older so that wasn't an issue but I am the sole breadwinner, so working was a must. In my case, my grades suffered a bit as I went from mostly A's to B's and C's but that's really about it. You will have no life outside of work and school however.

sistasoul · Oct 21, 2011

I think it depends on the school you go to. When I was in school almost all of the students had a mini-nervous breakdown due to the course load. The first test from just my fundamentals class consisted of 28 chapters.

I knew of 3 single mothers who also worked full time. 2 out of the 3 failed out and the other dropped back to working 1 day a week.

There was another woman who worked full time or 32 hrs a week but she did not have children. She managed to graduate.

I started out working full time but eventually dropped down to 1 day a week by the last semester. I do not have children. I had to move in with my brother and live very frugally off of my savings.

Nursing school is crazy busy. It is maddening because some of the stuff we had to do consisted of busy work. Or what I considered busy work. I could really make a mean poster board by the time I graduated- to me this was not an appropriate task for an associates level- bachelor's level yes. There were just so many other more important thing we could have focused on.

I would not advise this course. My first day of nursing school I ran into a couple of second year students who had to repeat a semester due to a failing grade. When I asked them if school was really that hard they could only say- You will see. I was always a good student so I never thought of school as being able to kick my butt. Nursing school kicked it good.

If you have to work full time I would take 1 or 2 classes at a time. Anatomy and Physiology were a beast in themselves. I would just do part time if It were me. It might take you a little longer to be where you want to be but at least you will make it.

Just my humble opinion.

boogalina, ADN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN · Oct 21, 2011

Welllllll. . .depends on who you ask. Many will tell you it's not possible to work full-time and be a nursing student. And if they are referring to anything but a full-time night job where 3 12-hour shifts makes a full week, they may be right. The most challenging thing would be the scheduling. Clinical schedules can be kinda all over the place - different days of the week, weekend days, even evening shifts. Add in a test every other week at 7:30 AM, and it can make it difficult to schedule work. But, it can be done. . .just don't plan on having much of a social life - or family life.

freebirdRN86 · Oct 21, 2011

I did. I worked as a server/bartender a few times a week, and made quite a bit of money. Weekends and working at a busy restaurant/bar can bring in some serious financial support while you are in school and hours are usually really flexible too. Good luck!!!

littlemammanurse, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

I will tell you I did it!When I went to school for my RPN I worked between 2 part time jobs(between the 2 I got 48 hours a week),had a 4 month baby who was exclusively breast fed,and went to school full time.It was hard but worth it.Mind you I didn't graduate with honors, but did get B's and A's in my courses.

If I could do it you can too!You sound like a very determined young woman all the best to you! :nurse:

ONRADAR124 · Oct 22, 2011

NO & NO! Nursing School full time and working full time is NOT happening! Don't be surprised if you flunk out of nursing school doing that!

Aberdeen · Oct 22, 2011

I work full time and I am also in nursing school full time. I don’t have kids, but I can think of at least 8 or 10 people in my class who have kids, work and attend school full time. It can be done, you just have to manage your time wisely.

DelanaRN, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 23, 2011

I am a Mom and a wife. I had 4 kids at home when I went to an accelerated LPN program. The program was very intense and only 17 graduated, but I was proud to be one of them. I went straight into an accelerated LPN-RN program after LPN School and I DID work full time as an LPN while in RN school and of course, still had 4 kids at home. I did have a very supportive husband who picked up the slack so I could succeed. I would never have made it through without his help with the house and the kids.

Is it easy to work full time while going to school full time (I had 21-23 credit hours a semester)?? NO...not at all easy.

Can it be done? Yes

Will you remain sane? Maybe

You will sacrifice sleep, time with your husband and kids.

It can be worthwhile though.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2011

I've heard it can be done, but I certainly could not do it!

studentpuut56 · Oct 25, 2011

Eee~ I'm having enough trouble with six hours of work a week. ): But I'm not really good with time management so that might be a problem. But I know a lot of people who are only working if they're like ahead a few classes in the program so they have empty spaces in their schedule. But I would definitely start out part time and if that seems easy maybe go to full time?

Eagle2110, ADN, BSN, CNM · Oct 26, 2011

My best friend worked full-time with a child. It can be done, only obstacle I can foresee is if you plan to work nights, then you may need a babysitter. Get that figured out and I'm sure you can do it if you're determined, God Bless your journey